The couple's picture after his first operation in 2006.

Rudy Fernandez was on his road to recovery, and he kept gushing about his wife of 25 years, Lorna Tolentino. Daboy's two-year ordeal wouldn't have been bearable without her. She became his nurse. She cheered him up. She traveled with him. She stayed by his side.

Rudy was born on March 13, 1953. His father was the late Dr. Gregorio Fernandez, one of the leading filmmakers during his time. Rudy was the only son in the family.

At the age of three, he made his film debut via an appearance in Luksang Tagumpay (1956), which was directed by his father.

He earned his action star status when he topbilled Bitayin si Baby Ama (1976).

The Action Prince starred in close to 70 films.

In early 2006, Rudy and his family learned about his Stage One Cancer. He underwent Whipple surgery, a treatment for pancreatic and ampullary cancer in which certain structures of the organ are removed and the remaining parts are sutured back in place. The surgery lasted for 10 hours. He was confined at the ICU for six days.

Rudy described his stay at the ICU to YES! magazine (August 2006 issue): "Maraming natitigok doon, e. Okey lang, hindi naman ako ninerbiyos masyado, dahil preparado na ‘ko. Kung talagang kukunin na ‘ko, okey lang."

One of the people who stayed close to Rudy during his ordeal was Bong Revilla. Although both action stars, there was never any rivalry between them. Daboy was spotted at the senator's birthday party last September 23, 2006, with Dr. Vicki Belo (second from right) and Dr. Hayden Kho (right). This was just a few months after his operation.

Mark Anthony Fernandez's wedding was held on September 24, 2006. Rudy was the picture of good health. He resumed a normal life.

His friends attest to Rudy's clean-living lifestyle. In the same interview with YES! magazine, Daboy said he would usually consume two shots or glasses of tequila, beer, or wine.

He was also into badminton, and a regular supporter of Star Olympics. In this photo, he had just undergone his first operation.

His last TV project was Atlantika (September 2006) wherein he played the role of Camaro, Dingdong's mentor.

When the movie industry made a dip, Daboy became more visible on television. He became a comedian in Daboy and Dagirl, a host in Kasangga, a bit of dramatic actor in Twin Hearts and the "Linlang" episode of Now and Forever.

This was taken last February 6, 2007, during the birthday of Eddie Gutierrez.

A few weeks later, the bad news erupted: his cancer came back. Together with his wife, Lorna, he flew to Hong Kong, Japan, and the United States to seek other medical opinions and undergo treatment. The actor's periampullary cancer, which initially affected the area between his pancreas and liver, had already affected his liver. His doctors informed him that he needed to go through a series of laboratory tests and immediately start chemotherapy.

A month later, his friends organized a party for him. He bravely declared: "I ain't gonna die yet."

In November 2007, Daboy and his closest friends—Bong Revilla, Jinggoy Estrada, and Philip Salvador—sat for a special dinner at his and Lorna's White Plains home. With the four action stars in this photo is Lolit Solis, talent manager of Rudy and Bong.

They talked about producing a movie starring all four of them.

He was undergoing treatments then, but Rudy was his usual jolly self.

Although he was undergoing chemo sessions, he managed to attend the awards night of Metro Manila Film Festival last January 5, 2008, to support his wife's film with good friend Jinggoy Estrada, Katas ng Saudi.

In an interview with Ricky Lo, Rudy narrated his treatment: "Well, I have undergone two cycles of chemo for the first protocol and then six cycles for the second protocol. Mga eight months ‘yon. Then, I underwent a radio-frequency-ablation treatment on my liver, and radiation. But I refused another kind of treatment because of its side effects: acne on your scalp, all over your face, all over your body."

Daboy then told his doctor, "I [don't] want to die miserable."

The 56^th birthday party of the Action Prince was held last March 3, at the William J. Shaw Pavilion of the Wack-Wack Golf and Country Club in Mandaluyong City.

In his message, he said: "Salamat sa aking mga kaibigan, mga nagmamahal, sa aking asawa si Lorna, thank you sa inyong lahat. Tinatanong sa akin kung anong wish ko. Sabi ko, more birthdays to come. May sumagot naman ‘many more and many more birthdays to come.' Sabi ko, kahit na few birthdays to come, okay na rin sa ‘kin ‘yon."

With his ever-positive attitude, he remarked: "I'll see you again next year, same time... I'm sure magkikita pa rin tayo."

Repeating the line he mentioned last year, he punctuated his speech with the promise, "Hang on, ha, huwag kayong malulungkot, I'm not going to die."

They went to the U.S. in April upon learning about his Stage 4 periampullary cancer.

On May 10, Daboy's sons (from left to right, main photo) Renz, Ralph, and Mark Anthony, and showbiz friends (inset) offered a healing mass for Rudy at the Christ the King church on E. Rodriguez St., Quezon City.

It was celebrated by Fr. Arlo Yap and Fr. Larry Faraon. Fr. Jerry Orbos led the people in singing "Come Holy Spirit" and the lifting of hands for the healing of the action star.

His kumpadre Jinggoy said, "Nandun po kami kagabi sa ospital. Akala namin, kagabi na ang gabing kinakatakutan naming lahat but he still managed to crack jokes."

He added: "Three years ago, I asked myself, ‘Why of all people, bakit si Rudy Fernandez?' Nine months after his operation, cancer cells were again active and he went to the United States for a month. When he came back, dun na po nagsimula ang problema. Doctors no longer have any alternatives to offer. Kaya sana po ipagdasal natin siya."

"Life is a wonderful thing, and now I can say I have really seen the beauty of it. I have a good family— mabuting asawa, mababait na anak. And so many friends!" said Daboy in his interview with a daily broadsheet.

He added, "I do not fear death. But I'm afraid of pain. I don't like needles. All things considered, I feel lucky that, at least, I know I'm on my way, mauuna ako sa iba. God's been very good to me. Tinanggap ko agad ito, kahit ibang klaseng laban. Ang buhay, hindi 'yan battle. Gustong-gusto ko nga ang buhay, e."

56 years in this world may not be enough for most people. But Daboy's family, friends and his fans would agree that Rudy Fernandez led a life well-lived!

"Sana kahit sa totoong buhay, matatalo ni Daboy ang kalaban hanggang sa ending..."